I hope you and your family have had a safe and enjoyable summer and that 2020 has begun really well.  In this newsletter I’ll let you know a bit about my recent activity around the Helensville electorate, give you all the goss from Parliament(!) and highlight a couple of upcoming events that might interest you.  

Out and About

Santa Parades

Late last year various local Christmas festivities were a great chance to connect with the community (in a seasonally appropriate way!). The Santa Parades of Kumeu and Helensville were wonderful occasions and I’m really grateful to have had the chance to take part – huge thanks to all the organisers, sponsors and fellow participants!

Hot Rod Show

Under the scorching January sun over 30,000 people gathered at the Kumeu Showgrounds for the annual Classic Car & Hot Rod Show to present their gleaming automobiles in a fantastic visual and aural display.  It was great to attend and fly the flag, along with new National Party candidate for our neighbouring Upper Harbour electorate, Jake Bezzant, and various supporters.

What’s up with Wellington?

There are now just a couple of weeks until Parliament resumes: 11 February is the big day!  In the meantime I’ve had a great chance to focus mostly on local issues but also attend such events as Chinese New Year celebrations across Auckland and the annual Ratana commemoration with Parliamentary colleagues.

Over the Christmas-New Year period I was able to spend some time talking law and order policy, which was great.  In my Courts portfolio my courtroom canine initiative gained some positive attention and attracted plenty of possible names “paw and order” anyone?  I was also pleased to front a news item for the members bill of another National MP (Tim Macindoe of Hamilton) prescribing stricter rules dubbed “no body, no parole” where homicide victims’ whereabouts are not advised.

What next?

It’ll be great to see you if you have time to swing by my stall – the mobile office nicknamed “Natty” – at a couple of big upcoming events:

Helensville Show

Date                     Saturday 29 February

Location              Helensville Showgrounds

Kumeu Show

Date                     Saturday 14, Sunday 15 March

Location              Kumeu Showgrounds

I look forward to meeting you and hearing what you have to say!

Chris Penk
MP for Helensville